The document summarizes an internship fair organized by the Florida Gulf Coast University Public Relations Student Society of America (FGCU PRSSA) chapter. The chapter held the inaugural internship fair to connect communication and PR students with local businesses seeking interns. Over 50 students and 25 businesses attended. Student feedback was positive and the chapter plans to make the internship fair an annual event.

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FPRA
I M A G E
AWARDS
D I V I S I O N D
STUDENT PROJECTS
IN PUBLIC RELATIONS
C A T E G O R Y 5
PUBLIC RELATIONS
CAMPAIGN
F G C U F P R A
INTERNSHIP
FAIR 201 4

2. Division D Category 5, Entry Name: FGCU FPRA Internship Fair 2014
Two-page Summary
Research/Situation Analysis: At Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), at least one 3-hour academic internship is
required for all Communication/PR majors in order to graduate. However, in the past there hasn’t been a dedicated
channel to connect Communication/PR students with potential internships opportunities (businesses) in Southwest
Florida. While FGCU’s Career Development Services hosts two Career and Internship Fairs annually - one in the
fall semester, and one in the spring semester - historically the businesses that attend are looking for diverse majors
and it is rare for businesses to recruit PR interns. In addition, there is an internship coordinator assigned to
Communication/PR students through the university; however, her role is primarily to assist the students with the for-
credit course and students have to search for internships on their own before even registering for the required course.
In an industry that is now requiring multiple internships during college to secure an entry-level job upon graduation,
the FGCU FPRA Chapter came up with the idea of hosting an Internship Fair specifically for PR, marketing and
advertising students. The Internship Fair (to be hosted on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.) would help
connect students with organizations specifically interested in hiring PR, marketing and advertising interns, while
also promoting the FGCU FPRA Chapter to students in related disciplines to expand chapter membership.
Objectives: 1) Have a minimum of 30 businesses register and attend the Internship Fair on Oct. 7, 2014; 2) Have at
least 50 students attend the Internship Fair on Oct 7, 2014; 3) Have a diverse range of majors attend the Internship
Fair in order to attain more members for the FGCU FPRA Chapter; and 4) Be able to provide free professional
headshots for students at the Internship Fair for LinkedIn profile pictures, business cards, etc.
Implementation: The FGCU FPRA Chapter promoted its inaugural Internship Fair using posters and fliers that
were posted around campus, with special attention paid to locations of communication and PR classes, as well as in
the College of Business. We used half-page fliers when we promoted on-campus through tabling (3 days for 4 hours
each). In addition, we ran a highly visible social media campaign through Facebook and Twitter, spoke to several
PR classes and handed out fliers to students during those classes (as well as emailed them to other professors to
share in class). All our graphic design was done by one of our board members and all the printing was done on-
campus through the Office of Student Involvement. In addition, the FGCU FPRA Chapter emailed businesses in
order to reach its objective of attaining 30 businesses to participate. The FGCU FPRA Chapter also worked with the
Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce to promote the Internship Fair in two newsletters leading up to the

3. event. In addition, FGCU FPRA worked with the Southwest Florida (professional) FPRA Chapter by promoting the
Internship Fair in its newsletter and on its blog. To help us evaluate our results, we surveyed students as they were
leaving the Internship Fair, and one week after the Fair, we sent a survey (via Survey Monkey) to participating
businesses.
Evaluation: Objective 1) We had 25 businesses attend the Internship Fair, short of our goal of 30; however, we did
have several businesses cancel at the last minute which put us under our original goal. Objective 2) We had 55
students attend the Internship Fair. Goal Exceeded. Objective 3) In a follow-up student survey, we had a majority of
PR students, plus students from Business Management, Marketing, and one student with multiple majors. Goal
Exceeded. Objective 4) Our Communications Director was able to secure a volunteer student photographer, who
used her own camera for the Internship Fair. The Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce provided FGCU
FPRA with a backdrop for the headshots. Students who attended the Internship Fair had the opportunity to receive
free professional headshots. The headshots were taken at three different angles, and were later emailed to the
students. Goal exceeded. Our primary goal was to introduce PR, marketing and advertising students to local
businesses in order to provide students with an opportunity to pursue an internship. Next year we plan to host the
Internship Fair at an earlier time, add a question to the survey we used this year asking the businesses (if applicable)
why they didn’t hire a student from the Internship Fair and send the businesses our survey two to three weeks after
the Internship Fair (instead of one week) to accurately determine the number of hires.
Budget: Total budget (hard costs): $16.59. Miscellaneous costs included for $6.59 for tape and $10 for a Starbucks
gift card as a thank you for the photographer. All fliers, posters and sign-in sheets were printed in-kind through
FGCU’s Office of Student Involvement. Tables, chairs and rooms for both the night of the Internship Fair and the
three days of on-campus promotion (tabling) were provided in-kind by FGCU Campus Reservations. The Bonita
Springs Area Chamber of Commerce provided FGCU FPRA with a backdrop for the headshots. For labor, the
FGCU FPRA Board of Directors collectively spent about 12 hours promoting on-campus through tabling; 3 hours
the night of the event to prepare, participate in and break down the event; 8 hours creating and posting fliers around
campus, emails, social media posts and class presentations; and 3 hours emailing businesses, for a total of 26 hours
(all donated).

4. Division D Category 5, Entry Name: FGCU FPRA Internship Fair 2014
Organizational Overview
FGCU FPRA is an RSO (registered student organization) at Florida Gulf Coast
University (FGCU) that strives to promote expanded learning and networking opportunities for
students interested in, and/or pursuing a degree in, public relations, marketing or other related
fields. FGCU FPRA is a student chapter of FPRA (Florida Public Relations Association), whose
mission is “dedicated to developing public relations practitioners who, through ethical and
standardized practices, enhance the public relations profession in Florida.”
The Southwest Florida (professional) Chapter of FPRA is a strong supporter of FGCU
FPRA, providing scholarships, mentors, speakers and internships throughout the year. FGCU
FPRA currently has some 50 active members, and a leadership team of seven board members,
elected annually. The chapter holds student meetings twice a month on campus, inviting local PR
and marketing professionals to speak on industry topics and to network with students.
Board of Directors (2014-2015)
President: Molly Nurczyk, graduating spring 2016
Vice President: Kimberly Nall, graduating spring 2015
Treasurer: Jacob DiDonato, graduating spring 2016
Secretary: Angela Navarro, graduating spring 2015
Communications Director: Jacquelyn Llorca, graduating spring 2015
Membership & Marketing Director: Vanessa Fernandez, graduating spring 2015
Programs Director: Alex Bautista, graduating fall 2015